🔗 Share this article

Finland's Arttu Välilä netted the winner at 2:11 of extra time as Finland pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over the reigning two-time champion United States on Friday evening in the world junior hockey quarter-finals.

"We must give credit to the United States," stated Finland's leader A. Kiviharju. "That's a fantastic squad, full of great individuals and a well coached team. But I mentioned we were seeking that revenge from last year, and I think we truly deserved it tonight."

In the semi-finals Sunday, Finland will take on Sweden, while Canada will play Czechia. The Swedes beat the Latvian side six to three, Team Canada produced a five-goal first period in a 7-1 rout over Slovakia, and Czechia topped Switzerland by a six to two margin.

Thrilling Final Frame and Extra Session

Michigan State’s L. Ryker knotted the score for the U.S. team with one minute and thirty-three seconds left in the third period and the University of Notre Dame netminder Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Lee Tuuva and Joona Saarelainen scored in a fifty-five-second span in the third to hand their team a 2-1 lead. He leveled the score at 2 with 7:17 left, then assisted on Saarelainen’s go-ahead goal with six minutes and twenty-two seconds on the clock. J. Saarelainen also earned a helper on the first goal.

Notable Contributions and Reactions

The Boston University blueliner Cole Hutson recorded a goal and a helper for the United States after being struck in the back of the head versus the Swiss and sitting out the next two contests.

"I thought we made good plays for a lot of the game," Hutson commented. "But the little bounces that they got, many of their Grade-A chances came from our mistakes."

His BU teammate Cole Eiserman handed the U.S. a two to one lead on a power play with nine minutes and forty-five seconds left in the middle frame. He took a feed from Hutson and beat the Finnish goaltender with a quick shot from the right side.

Hutson scored on a rush 35 seconds into the second. H. Ruohonen equalized at four minutes and forty-six seconds on a snap shot from the left wing.

Goaltending Stats

• Finland's goalie stopped twenty-eight attempts.
• The American netminder made 21 saves.

The Americans lost their last two games – losing 6-3 to the Swedes on Wednesday night in the group finale – after winning their first three.

"It has been an honor to coach this group," said the American bench boss. "Our guys played a terrific game today and fell just a bit short. All credit to the Finns. It's an hollow emotion right now, but our guys gave it all they had."

Other Quarter-Final Action

In the second match in the host city, the Canadians routed Slovakia with the aforementioned first-period explosion.

Cole Reschny, T. Iginla, Michael Misa, S. O'Reilly and B. Martin tallied in the first period, and P. Martone and C. Beaudoin connected in the second. J. Ivankovic made twenty-one shots.

"This demonstrates how dominant we are," B. Martin said. "Taking a 5-0 advantage, it kind of saps their morale."

In the first quarter-final, Anton Frondell netted a pair for Sweden against Latvia. The defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius contributed a goal and two helpers to help the Swedish side remain undefeated in their five outings.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Tomas Galvas, S. Drancak, A. Jiricek, Petr Sikora, J. Klima and Jakub Fibigr provided the goals for the Czechs.

Consolation Match Outcome

Germany triumphed in the relegation game, beating the Danes eight to four. M. Schams had two goals to help his nation retain its place for the following season in the top division. Denmark was relegated to the second tier.